You’d think after centuries of dissecting, imaging, and scanning the human body, we’d have it all figured out by now, right? Apparently not. In 2020, a team of researchers in the Netherlands stumbled upon something truly mind-blowing: a completely new organ hiding inside the human head. And no, this isn’t some obscure, microscopic cell. We’re talking about a full-fledged set of salivary glands that had somehow gone undetected for nearly three centuries.
So what exactly did these scientists find—and how did they miss it for so long? Let’s break it down.
The Accidental Breakthrough
It all started with cancer research. Scientists at the Netherlands Cancer Institute were conducting a study on prostate cancer. They used a sophisticated scanning technique known as PSMA PET/CT, which involves injecting patients with radioactive glucose that binds to a protein commonly found in prostate cancer cells. But here’s the kicker: that same protein also lights up in salivary glands.
So when they scanned patients, they expected to see the usual suspects—salivary glands under the jaw, near the ears, and beneath the tongue. But instead, something unexpected started glowing.
Surprise: A Hidden Set of Glands
In every scan, a new set of glowing tissue showed up behind the nasal cavity, right where the nose connects to the throat. That glowing area turned out to be a pair of tubarial salivary glands—something no medical textbook has ever documented.
Imagine discovering a secret room in a house you’ve lived in for decades. That’s exactly what happened here.
Confirming the Discovery with Cadaver Studies
Naturally, the team had to verify this wasn’t just a fluke. So they examined tissue samples from two cadavers and confirmed the presence of these gland-like structures. They looked eerily similar to the traditional salivary glands—but they were located in a completely different spot: behind the nose, near the torus tubarius.
That’s why researchers proposed naming them the tubarial glands.
Video : Scientists accidentally discovered a brand new organ in the human body never seen before
Why Haven’t We Seen These Before?
This is the part that stuns most people. How did no one notice a whole new organ until now?
According to Dr. Wouter Vogel, one of the lead researchers, the glands likely went unnoticed for centuries because they’re tough to spot. You’d need “very sensitive imaging” to detect them—something that only recently became available with PSMA PET/CT scans. Plus, their location makes them difficult to access without damaging surrounding tissue.
And since they’re not massive like a liver or heart, they were easy to overlook. But they’re still macroscopic, meaning large enough to be seen with the naked eye—if you know where to look.
So What Do These Glands Actually Do?
Turns out, these glands aren’t just there for show. They play an important role in lubricating and moistening the upper part of the throat, particularly behind the nose and mouth. That’s crucial for functions like swallowing and speaking—two things we definitely take for granted.
They also help us avoid dry mouth and irritation, especially during activities like breathing through the nose or eating.
The Impact on Cancer Treatment and Patient Care
This discovery isn’t just fascinating—it could also have serious medical implications. Until now, doctors had no idea these glands existed, which means radiation therapy for head and neck cancers might have been damaging them unknowingly.
Radiation can cause a range of side effects, and if it targets salivary glands, patients often suffer from dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, and other quality-of-life issues. By sparing the tubarial glands, future radiation therapies might be more precise and gentler on patients.
That’s a huge win in the world of oncology.
How the Scientific Community Reacted
Understandably, the scientific world was both amazed and skeptical. A new human organ? That’s a big claim. But the research, published in the journal Radiotherapy and Oncology, held up under scrutiny. The team also reviewed scans from 100 patients—and sure enough, every single one had these glands.
That kind of consistency strongly suggests this isn’t just a rare anomaly. These glands are part of normal human anatomy.
A Reminder That We Still Don’t Know Everything
The discovery of the tubarial glands reminds us of one thing: science is never truly finished. The human body, for all our knowledge and technology, still holds secrets. It’s humbling to realize we can still uncover new anatomy in the 21st century.
What’s next? Another organ? A new nerve pathway? Only time—and technology—will tell.
Video : A New Organ In The Body Has Been Accidentally Discovered
Conclusion: A Glowing Discovery in Modern Medicine
In a world where we assume all the big discoveries are behind us, the tubarial glands are a wake-up call. These newly discovered organs, hiding in plain sight inside our heads, prove that curiosity and technology are still capable of unlocking secrets within our own bodies.
From accidental cancer scans to groundbreaking anatomical revelations, this story is more than just a quirky headline. It’s a reminder to never stop questioning, exploring, or scanning—you never know what you might find hiding in the shadows.
So next time someone tells you science knows everything, just smile and say, “Have you heard about the tubarial glands?”
